At Berklee there are standard questions that we ask to each other as we meet. This week, thanks to the “five weekers” I have remembered them all. What’s your instrument? What’s your major? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? When was your audition? Why Berklee? This last one is my personal favorite. I love telling stories while pointing out specific details that make the story different and interesting. In this case, this story goes way back to my high school years.

In Puerto Rico, the government offers trips to chosen students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and I was blessed enough to win one of those in 2010. We traveled four days to NY and then took a bus to stay five days in Boston. When we got to Boston, we were scheduled to go visit Harvard. It was the most boring experience for me as a 16 year old. As we were on our way to the hotel, my leader pointed out at Berklee and told us the names of many musicians that I knew who attended the university. I got really excited and took a picture right away while saying, “It would be a dream to study there one day”.

Fast-forwarding to end of my second semester at college, I can just say that I was really disappointed of my first college experience. I was enrolled in biology and English linguistics. College was five minutes from home and I was doing that to make my parents happy. My only motivation in college was the fact that I had been chosen to form part of the main choir and that kept me busy.

During the end of that semester, I got tagged in a Facebook post of a friend, who had been to the Berklee in Puerto Rico program the year before and wanted me to try it out. I applied right away because I needed an urgent distraction. When I got the acceptance e-mail for the program I was ecstatic. Just having the thought of being away for a week in the other side of the island, to sing and learn music? Priceless.

A couple of days passed and I saw myself standing around hundreds of outstanding musicians from all over the island who’s desired was to learn more and show what they had learned in their auditions. I had applied for an audition, but I never confirmed it. When I received a call asking for my final decision, I told them that I wouldn’t be at the school that day. I was scared. I knew so many people who could read at first sight and scat to perfection, and I wasn’t one of them. So many of them wanted to audition, but didn’t have space to. I thought, “I may as well come more prepared the next year”.

The last day of the program before the concert was upon us and I felt incomplete. As I was waiting in class for the rest of the people to arrive, Mrs. Darcel Wilson (lovely soul), asked me if I had auditioned. As I answered no, a lot of people from the class (including her) starting asking me, “Why?!!!”. When I answered with the same words that are above, she stopped me and told me to go and take a risk. “How much are 5 minutes of your life? What do you have to lose?” It was surprising because I thought that my answers were logical and understandable. I had expressed my desire to study music on prior days, but never actually considered that I had a chance.

As I made my way to the audition office, I felt in control of what I truly desired in my life. I asked for another space and ,for my luck, they told me that they never canceled my audition. My audition was in 20 minutes and they took me to the practice room right away. When I walked in, I had no music accompaniment and no prepared song. I sang “Good Morning Heartache” because it was one of my few favorite jazz songs at the moment. It felt great to be there and just be myself, with no boundaries holding me back. I was honest about the things that I didn’t know and put all my effort in the things I did know how to do.

After the audition was over I had time to breathe, do a little interview and go back to class. Darcel’s hug was one of the best feelings in the world and came right away when I told everybody that I had done it. Even if they didn’t grant me anything, I would still be happy knowing that I took a chance. I went to a Jam Session that night and had a chance to meet the professors and share my experience with the rest of the students. It was fun, but I wondered why Tod Olivieri didn’t recognize me and introduced himself again. He was the one who interviewed me. At that point, I lost most of my hopes of winning something, but at the same time enjoyed the company of all of them and hoped that the day after, the concert day, would be as enjoyable.

The concert was full of smiles and great entertainment. Students had fun showing their loved ones what they had learned through that week and were hopeful that may be they could get the opportunity of going to Boston to experience first hand what it really meant to be a Berklee student. I, on the other hand, was excited for some of the people I had met to win some of those scholarships. I had heard their talent and saw how good they were.

When they started to announce the prizes, our heart pressure was over the roof. I saw faces with happy tears and heard parents screaming of excitement as they saw them walk to stage to pick up their certificates. Scholarships were starting to go up in number and tension was reaching high levels. I remember looking to my left and watching a friend stare at me and saying, “You’re next”. We had been playing that game since the announcements began.

I took a moment to lower my head and just thank God for the experience. As I finished my prayer, my name was called out. “The outstanding vocalist award goes to Kárenly Nieves”. I spaced out. I stared at everybody and didn’t move. If it wasn’t for that friend, who came running towards me and helped me stand up, I think I would be still sitting there today. I couldn’t believe it. I ran towards Mrs. Wilson and cried while I hugged her. Her words were, “See what five minutes of your life can do to you?”

Thanks to those minutes I’m here today to tell this story. When I came back from that high school trip, I never pictured myself attending Berklee 4 years later. Life works in mysterious ways sometimes. Never think you’re not good enough. Don’t compare yourself to others. Our talents are different. We own them and we need to show them to the world. Enjoy your summer and do something productive because you never know who may be watching you.